Surprised by point clouds

[Buzz12345]

In C3D 2014 we had a workflow where we would load the point cloud data from a variety of source file formats and co-ord systems into Recap, have a quick look at the data and then bring the rcs file into C3D 2014 using pointcloudattach and then right click the point cloud and add civil3d properties to get the styles that we want, and then create a surface.

One of the new features of C3D 2015 is a better point cloud engine.  Point Cloud attach still works, and you have some control over visibility and style using the new point cloud manager and contextual ribbon. It does seem to be faster.  However, you can no longer add civil3d properties.  (So, the point cloud never turns up in the Prospector)  To create a surface you have to use the subscription tool (Extract Point Cloud Surface), but this seems to max out at 800,000 points

You still have the option to create a point cloud from prospector, but that doesn't read the default recap rcs or rcp files. (you could export a pts file from Recap and import that). And I always had co-ordinate system issues in the Create point cloud wizard.

It's a bit frustrating that we have this fantastic new engine in recap creating these fast rcs/rcp files, and we can't go on and use them in C3D unless the files are less than 800,000 points.  And having the surface creation tool sitting in the toolbox makes it look like an afterthought.

Our use of LiDAR is increasing exponentially, so we need quick and simple workflows for consuming LiDAR in Civil3D, but the current methods seem to be a bit convoluted.  Am I missing something?

Michael

[AllenJessup]

You need to download the Point Cloud Surface Extraction tool from the Subscription center. It's under Productivity Tools.

Allen

[antoniovinci]

Hey Allen, sounds like the OP just wrote about it:

"To create a surface you have to use the subscription tool (Extract Point Cloud Surface)"

[AllenJessup]

Thanks, Antonio. Monday morning and all that. Plus projecting my own issues on others posts!

Allen